Question:
Is the degree of scarring from the staples...

Hello! Finally had my Lap RNY on 4/2. Hooray! Now that that is behind me, I have a new concern. My surgeon's office expects me to wait until 4/18 to have my staples removed! Not only are they uncomfortable, BUT I thought I've read here that the longer they are in, the more scar tissue. Seems like a silly concern, but frankly, I'm pretty hot about it. Now that surgery is over and they have my $, am I second priority when it comes to timely appointments? PLEASE TELL ME THIS DELAY IN REMOVING THE STAPLES WON'T INCREASE THE SCARRING! Help!    — Laurie L. (posted on April 9, 2001)

April 9, 2001
I am not really sure, I thought that the longer they stayed in the more scarring as well. But, I had my gallbladder out last May and the staples staying for a long time...maybe a little under two weeks, I don't remember exactly
   — karen Z.

April 9, 2001
My staples were in a little longer because I had a slight complication which sent me back to the hospital. The surgeon didn't want to take them out until I left the hospital the second time. They were in a total of about 10 days or so. I must say, though, I'm not doing anything special, but the staple scars are almost completely faded. The insicion scars themselves are a little darker, but those are fading too. In the long run, I would bet the slight delay in removing them probably won't make much difference as far as scarring. It may be a little uncomfortable, and the staples WILL itch, but I don't think it will be a big deal with scarring. Hope this helps. Good luck.
   — Maria H.

April 10, 2001
Don't worry. Just pour hydrogen peroxide over them after each shower and put Neosporin on. These will keep infection and scarring to a minimum. (if any)
   — Cindy H.

April 12, 2001
I am having an open RNY on Monday 4/16. My surgeon routinely leaves the staples in for 2 wks. My sister had surgery and had to keep about half of her staples in an extra week because her incision was pulling apart. So I think that 2 wks is not excessively long but maybe for a lap it is different.
   — Karen F.